Disgraced USA Basketball needs revival at the Olympics

1of2United States' coach Gregg Popovich, center looks on near United States' Donovan Mitchell , left and United States' Kemba Walker at right during a consolation playoff game for the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Dongguan in southern China's Guangdong province on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019. The U.S. will leave the World Cup with its worst finish ever in a major international tournament, assured of finishing no better than seventh after falling to Serbia 94-89 in a consolation playoff game on Thursday night. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)Photo: Ng Han Guan / Associated Press

2of2USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo was critical of star players who didn’t play at the World Cup.Photo: Jason Bean / Associated Press

Even with a depleted roster and the realization that several international clubs might be better, the USA Basketball team didn’t expect the FIBA World Cup to be a form of torture.

After a loss to France that dashed any hopes for medal contention, the decent outcome would be a trip back home and some much-needed rest before the NBA season begins. Instead, there was a game in the fifth-place bracket (nice job, Serbia), and it still isn’t over, with the U.S. facing yet another game on Saturday.

What’s next, a showdown to decide 17th place?

We mention this on behalf of Steve Kerr, the primary assistant to U.S. head coach Gregg Popovich and a man who really could have used a breezy summer. But it applies to everyone on an ill-fated team losing confidence by the day. This is turning into a clear-cut disgrace for the U.S. program, leaving everyone to wonder what will transpire in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The events in China reflected poorly on USA managing director Jerry Colangelo, who watched the team’s potential dissipate with a series of late withdrawals from star players including James Harden, Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson. “I can only say,” Colangelo told ESPN, “you can’t help but notice and remember who you thought you were going to war with and who didn’t show up. ... No one would have anticipated the pullouts we had.”

Second thought: In the age of “load management” and only fleeting signs of basketball-related patriotism, that’s hardly realistic. Just by himself, Curry could make a huge difference, draining 3-pointers to shackle any opponent’s dreams. (Always wary of his tender ankles, Curry has played in just two of the major tournaments over his 10-year career and has never won Olympic gold.) A blindingly fast guard — say, De’Aaron Fox or Trae Young — could be extremely influential. But it’s all a big mystery now, not a pleasant distraction for Popovich and Kerr as the NBA season grinds on.

One thing for certain: With the prospect of facing formidable centers — notably France’s Rudy Gobert and Serbia’s Nikola Jokic — you don’t stroll into the World Cup with Brook Lopez, Myles Turner and Mason Plumlee. The schedule is a problem, as well. Former NBA commissioner David Stern told The Undefeated, “FIBA made a mistake moving the World Cup into odd years. And as a result, you are asking people to play in the FIBA world championship, play in the season and then play in the Olympics.”

Perhaps the biggest factor of all: As the U.S. grows increasingly passive about global events, they mean everything to the other teams, many of which feature players who have competed together for years. That’s a terrific development for the NBA, with a powerful global presence that only grows stronger. While the NFL stages comically irrelevant games in London each year, trying to pretend it’s not about merchandise revenue, the NBA brings its talent to countries around the world — this year’s exhibition schedule includes games in India, China and Japan — with spectacular results.

So let’s forget about the World Cup debacle and raise a toast to the great Manu Ginobili. In the 2002 World Championships, with Ginobili unleashing his phenomenal talent for all to see, Argentina became the first country to defeat a U.S. team with NBA players. Two years later, Argentina was the first to deny NBA players an Olympic gold medal. “Who the hell is that?” people wondered, perhaps oblivious to the awakening.

Bruce Jenkins has written for the San Francisco Chronicle since 1973 and has been a sports columnist since 1989. He has covered 27 World Series, 19 Wimbledons and many other major events, including the Super Bowl, World Cup soccer, NBA Finals, four major golf tournaments and U.S. Open tennis championships.

He graduated from Santa Monica High School in 1966 and UC Berkeley with a B.A. in journalistic studies in 1971.